Monday, September 9, 2013

New Releases: Stagg Jr.

It's fall, which is the beginning of whiskey season. New releases are starting to pop up and will continue for the next two months, culminating in the holiday buying spree. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll review some of those new releases, starting with Stagg Jr.

Few bourbons have entered the market with as much consumer anticipation as Stagg Jr., a younger version of Buffalo Trace's barrel proof super star. The bourbon has no age statement but the back label states it was aged for "nearly a decade."

By naming this Stagg, Jr., BT makes a bold statement. Given that it's about the same age as the standard Buffalo Trace whiskey, they could have called it Buffalo Trace Barrel Proof or Eagle Rare Barrel Proof, since both of those bourbons are made from the same mashbill. But neither of those names would have likely caused the excitement (or merited the price) that comes with the Stagg name which is second only to Pappy in bourbon lore. But by calling it Stagg, the distillery also gives itself a higher bar, inviting comparisons with Stagg the elder, one of the most lauded bourbons in recent memory. Let's see if it lives up to its name.

Stagg Jr., 67.2% abv ($50)

The nose is indeed reminiscent of George T. Stagg, very rich and woody with sweet toffee notes, spice and oak. The palate leads off with sweet candy, then rye spice, oak and a touch of mint with a nice, chewy mouthfeel. The finish is lightly minty. A few drops of water brings out some vanilla and herbal notes.

Reviews of this bourbon so far have not been kind, but I think it wears the Stagg name well. It's exactly what I'd expect in a younger Stagg. It's missing the richness and complexity, those dark oak notes that frame Stagg Sr., but it's well balanced and intense. It's surprisingly drinkable neat though it also takes water well. All in all, a very good bourbon, and one I would recommend.

Like the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and pretty much every other new release this year, Stagg Jr. has been tough to find, so if you want it, it might require some hunting.

15 comments:

Pretty good review, Sku, but you left out the most important detail. After purchasing this, you're supposed to publish a photo of your own Stagg Jr. to show everyone else on the internet that you own one of the thousands of bottles produced. The photo is preferably to be taken in your car immediately after purchase, with the bottle resting on your knee. Just thought you'd appreciate the heads-up. Seems kinda amateurish without the pic.

I look forward to sampling my taste soon.... if I can find a bottle. SKU; Your review indicates the Junior is about what I hoped it might be, and belies some of the negative comments that have cropped up. Here's hoping I get one soon!

Nice review Sku. I agree and am glad to see some praise for this one. It isn't Stagg Sr. but it shouldn't be. I think they did a fine job. It has similarities to EH Taylor BP but is less fruity and shows more oak. A nice line extension to the Stagg brand IMO.

Stagg Jr. has been around longer than George T. Stagg itself. It is called "Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel" in honor of the Great Grand Old Man who recently passed (thank you Elmer for everything you have done for us including your service to our country as a B29 radar bombardier in WW2). ETLSB is one of the best bangs for the buck in whisky. Same mashbill, same barrels, and even the same warehouse floor as GTS, except like the recently released Stagg Jr, it tends to come from stock a few years younger - and it is not bottled at cask strength. If it was up to me, this bottle would be called Elmer T. Lee Cask Strength.

Hi Todd. Thanks for your comments. Elmer T. Lee is a fine bourbon, no doubt, but it uses a different mashbill than Stagg. Elmer T. Lee is one of the brands owned by Age International (along with Blanton's, Rock Hill Farm, Ancient Age and Hancock Reserve). All of them use the higher rye BT bourbon mashbill #2. The mashbill used for Stagg, BT, Eagle Rare and their other bourbons is the lower rye mashbill #1.

No knee photos for this guy. I sold all my booze on BX then contracted a film crew and hand model for the 2013 Fall whiskey season. Nice momento when this year's buying frenzy is sold-off to finance next year's.

Oops, the ETL/GTS mashbill, warehouse floor info was from a usually reliable source in a conversation about 8-9 years ago (from a fellow who was sourcing barrels for store exclusive bottlings of BTAC stock). There is enough similarity between the two that I did not doubt it at the time. I stand by my assertion that Elmer was a great man and that his namesake bourbon is still a great bang for the buck.